Fastening for berths of sleeping-cars



(No Model.)

0. F. WARD. FASTENING FOR BERTHS 0F SLEEPING OARS.. No. 416,199. Patented Dec. 3, 1.889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. WARD, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

FASTENING FOR BERTHS OF SLEEPING-CARS.

SPECIFICATIONformingpart of Letters Patent No. 416,199, dated December 3, 1889, Application filed February 9, 1888. Renewed October 26, 1889. Serial No. 328,217. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. \VARD, of the city of St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fastenings for Sleeping-Car Berths; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the aecom Jan in drawings formin 'a oart' D k. 7 b

of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in berths for sleeping-cars, and is directed especially to the fastenings for securing the berth in both an open and closed position.

lhe object of the invention is to dispense with the wire rope or cable ordinarily used for holding the berth in an open position and to employ the lock commonly used for holding the berth in a closed position to serve the function of the aforesaid cable and with but slight changes in construction.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a sufficient portion of a car-berth to illustrate the application of myimprovements thereto. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional elevation of the lock. Fig. 3 represents detail views of the upper socket-plate, and Fig. 4 represents detail views of the lower socket-plate Referring to the drawings, A represents the berth of ordinary construction, and as my invention only comprehends means for locking said berth in an open and closed position it is thought that a general reference to the berth is sufficient.

At the outside corner of the bottom of the berth is arranged a plate a, having perforated ears or lugs, in one of which is mounted the end of the spindle of the bolt A, the bolt itself being preferably rectangular in form and working in the other perforation or opening and through an opening I) in the footboard of the berth, and normally held in such position by a spiral spring 0, mounted on the spindle of the bolt and bearing against one of the ears or lugs at one end and against the bolt proper at its other end. To the partitionstrip B, on a line with the bolt when the berth is open, is secured a plate O,havinga convex outer face and having a socket cl, corresponding in shape to the bolt and adapted to receive the latter.

D represents the plate ordinarily employed to receive the bolt when the berth is locked in a closed position. In use two bolts are employed in conjunction With socketed plates to receive them, and said bolts connected by rods E E to a handle F, having a head F, so that both bolts may be simultaneously operated by one movement of the handle F.

In operation to lower the berth the handle F is turned, thereby withdrawing the bolts from the plates D, and as the berth is lowered the bolts engage and are forced inwardly by the convex faces of the plates 0 until the sockets are reached, when the bolts enter the latter and securely hold the berth in an open position. To close the berth, the bolts are withdrawn from the sockets of the plates 0, and if they are not held in this position they will strike the edges of the plates D and not pass them, inasmuch as the faces of said bolts are not beveled.

From the above description it will be seen that I have dispensed with the ordinary Wire cable and ball and socket therefor, and utilized the bolts ordinarily employed for locking the berth in only a closed position for use for looking the berth in both its open and closed positions and with but slight changes and additions.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is=- The combination, with a berth, of a springaetuated bolt having a rectangular end, a socket-plate for receiving the bolt when the berth is closed, and a plate having a convex face and a socket to receive the bolt when the berth is open, substantially as set forth.

Dated at St. Paul, Ramsey county, Minnesota, November 14, 1887.

CHARLES F. 'IVARD.

Witnesses:

DANIEL MURPHY, NORMAN KITTSON. 

